IN HIGH SCHOOL: The starting center for Alcoa High School where he played for his father, coach Gary Rankin, J.T. has helped the Tornadoes rank among the top teams in the state throughout his career which featured 43 consecutive starts. Named all-state as both a junior and senior, he was a key in Alcoa winning the TSSAA state title in 2008, 2009 and 2010, including undefeated seasons in both 2009 and 2010. A team captain as a senior, he was a Knoxville News Sentinel PrepXtra first-team selection and selected for the Tennessee East-West All-Star game. Rankin graded out at 88 percent as a senior with 82 pancake blocks.

PERSONAL: The son of Gary and Sandra Rankin, he was an Honors student... born January 31, 1993... majoring in fitness and wellness.